Mentor Exempted Village board votes 4–1 to place 4.49‑mill operating levy on ballot

The Mentor Exempted Village Board of Education voted 4–1 on Jan. 28 to place an additional 4.49‑mill operating levy before district voters, the board announced at a special meeting.

The resolution, introduced under Ohio Revised Code section 3313.15 and submitted pursuant to Ohio Rev. Code §5705.21, would ask voters to approve the levy for current expenses. Board members moved and seconded the measure; the transcript does not record which member made the motion. After discussion, the clerk called the roll, and the measure passed with four votes in favor and one opposed.

Why it matters: district staff described the levy as a response to long‑standing budget pressures. A staff member named in the meeting as Mister Wei said the timing is appropriate and that he has warned for years the district would need additional revenue even after prior budget cuts. "I just reiterate that I've been saying this for many years, that this would be around the time that we would need additional money," the staff member said.

Objections and clarifications: one board member (name not specified in the transcript) said they would vote no and urged colleagues to exhaust "every single option" before asking taxpayers for more money, and directed viewers to an earlier meeting recording for detailed reasons. That same board member relayed parents' concerns that special‑education services might be cut if the levy failed, then stated on the record that the claim — that the district had told parents services would be cut — was "not true." A district representative responded in agreement and emphasized the board should not use district time to promote or discourage the ballot measure.

Procedure and next steps: a staff member said the paperwork sent to the Lake County Board of Elections had been updated and that, if the board voted in the majority, the certificate would be taken to the Lake County Board of Elections the following day. The staff member credited assistance from Auditor Galloway, legal counsel and the Department of Taxation in preparing the filing. The board adjourned after recording the vote.

The filing with the Lake County Board of Elections begins the local scheduling and certification process; the district will await confirmation from that office before any further public timetable is announced.